Stories of Hope Archives - Page 5 of 10 - LifeShareOK

The Little Red Heart: More Than a Symbol

Oklahoma advocate for organ donation now hoping for his own second chance For lifelong Oklahoman Virgil Bonham, of Kingfisher, the transplant journey is a reminder of the impact one decision can make to shape your future – and potentially save the life of another. Each year, thousands of new drivers are asked a very important

LifeShare Completes First Organ Perfusion Flight Using OrganOx Technology

Milestone expands access and safety in organ transplantation LifeShare Oklahoma reached a major milestone in its organ perfusion program, completing its first successful flight transporting a liver for transplant being actively perfused using the OrganOx metra device. LifeShare Oklahoma is the statewide nonprofit organization responsible for organ and tissue donation, which previously made history as the first in

A Mother’s Love Continued Through the Gift of Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation

Sapulpa woman’s life of compassion and service honored through donation Throughout her life, Cherie Murphy of Sapulpa, Okla., was fun-loving, patient, and profoundly dedicated to her family and community. Cherie brightened every room she entered, turning everyday activities into beautiful memories for her family. Her son, Jared, recalled his favorite moments from his childhood; his mother opening all the

Tom Stamp, Lung Recipient

After being diagnosed with an incurable disease his doctors could not explain, Tom Stamp, of Oklahoma City, knew he was running out of time. That is, until a lung transplant gave him a second chance at life. At 62, Tom learned he had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease that causes scar tissue to

LifeShare Awarded Achievement of Excellence

In 2025, LifeShare embarked on a Journey to Excellence, identifying areas for growth, improvement, and increased efficiency. The team hosted Oklahoma Quality Foundation examiners to evaluate the organization’s systems, operations and processes. We are pleased to share that LifeShare Network was awarded the Level 5 Oklahoma State Award for Performance Excellence, the highest recognition in

LifeShare Network Celebrates 40 Years of Saving Lives and Inspiring Hope

LifeShare Network, Oklahoma’s only federally designated, nonprofit organ procurement organization, proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of honoring the legacy of donor heroes and transforming the lives of all those impacted by organ, eye and tissue donation. Founded in 1986, LifeShare has grown to be a nationally recognized leader in donation and transplantation services. Over the past 40

Recipient Stories

Child Heart Recipient to be Honored in Rose Parade

LifeShare of Oklahoma is honoring Jhett Skaggs, of Lexington, Oklahoma, as a float rider in the 2020 Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1st. LifeShare is the organ procurement organization in Oklahoma responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant purposes. Every year, LifeShare helps sponsor the Donate Life Float in the Tournament

January 1, 2020 No Comments

Stories of Hope

Young Oklahoma Woman Treks on Despite Kidney Disease

One of 501 in the State Waiting on a Kidney Transplant Amarri Norteye, of Del City, has a bright future ahead of her, but she needs a kidney to make it possible. She is one of 501 Oklahomans currently awaiting a lifesaving transplant. Amarri is connected to her dialysis machine, a machine that does the

December 21, 2019 No Comments

Recipient Stories

Natalie Griffin, Double Lung Recipient

Despite living with cystic fibrosis, Natalie was active and loved sports. In high school, she played basketball and was the only girl on the Ice Hockey Team. In college, Natalie’s health worsened. She lacked the energy to walk to class, much less play sports. On the transplant waiting list, Natalie needed a double lung transplant – and a hero donor came through. Natalie

July 15, 2019 No Comments

Recipient Stories

Perfect Timing: Oklahoma Woman Received Transplant Last Minute

Conna Weaver of Moore, Okla., wakes up and looks around her room and thinks to herself, ‘I’m I really here?’ Normal and mundane days are often surreal to her; remembering the journey to her second chance at life. Conna lived a very active life – with four grown kids and nine grandchildren all involved in

April 10, 2019 No Comments

Recipient Stories

Ron Black, Liver Recipient

Ron Black, of Edmond, was diagnosed with diabetes in 1999 and managed it with a healthy diet. Nearly 13 years later, he went to the Emergency Room and was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. Ron was told he only had three years to live. He became unable to do many daily functions, as a

February 22, 2019 No Comments

News

Oklahoma Family Celebrates Life After Sister’s Tragic Death Through 5K

In 2014, Jennifer Ward lost her 25 year old sister, Stacy Hadley, in a tragic accident; however, Stacy lives on in others as an organ donor. Jennifer will celebrate her sister’s life and bring awareness to the importance of organ donation by participating in the Little Red Heart 5K organized by the LifeShare Foundation in

January 21, 2019 No Comments

Recipient Stories

José, Kidney Recipient

José Gomez, of Stillwater, was born with chronic renal failure. His left kidney didn’t grow. At age one, he was placed on the transplant waiting list but was only listed for about a month and he started getting better. He was removed from the list and did well until he was ten years old. At

January 5, 2019 No Comments

Donor Stories

LifeShare Honors Organ and Tissue Donors on National Rose Parade Float

Two heroic organ donors will be representing Oklahoma in the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade. Hance Henrie, of Owasso, and Sandy Pekrul, of Enid, will be honored as a part of the Donate Life Float featured in the parade. Every year, LifeShare of Oklahoma helps sponsor the Donate Life Float in the Tournament of Roses

January 1, 2019 No Comments

News

Oklahoma City Transplant Residents to be Honored During Rose Parade

Two Oklahoma City locals will be representing their state in the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade. Mike McClellin and Kaylee Rayburn will be a part of the Donate Life Float and featured in the parade. Every year, LifeShare of Oklahoma helps sponsor the Donate Life Float in the Tournament of Roses Parade to spread the

January 1, 2019 No Comments

Donor Stories

Sandy Pekrul, Organ Donor Represents Oklahoma in the Donate Life Rose Parade Float on New Year’s Day 2019

Sandy will be honored on the 2019 Donate Life Float as an organ donor in a floragraph. A floragraph is a portrait of the donor, created with floral materials such as seeds, grains, spices, dried flowers and other organic materials. She is one of 44 donors to be featured on this year’s float. Sandy Pekrul,

December 15, 2018 No Comments